3. 07-24-19 minutesCity of Scandia
Wastewater Advisory Committee
Wednesday, July 24, 2019 – 6:30 P.M.
A meeting of the Scandia Wastewater Advisory Committee was held on the above date. The
meeting was called to order by Chris Ness at 6:30 p.m. In attendance were: Council member
Chris Ness, Committee members Dan Cartier, Patrick Kelley, Peter Nora, Craig Pittman. Staff
present were Public Works Director Adam Hawkinson and Treasurer Colleen Firkus. Committee
Member Doran O’Brien was absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA – A motion to approve the agenda made by Cartier and seconded by
Kelley. Vote: 5-0 motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – A motion to approve the minutes of the November 15, 2018 meeting
was made by Cartier and seconded by Kelley. Vote: 5-0 motion carried.
SEWER SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE UPDATE
201 System Infiltration
Hawkinson reported that the inspections for sump pumps is starting in August with letters
going out to residents this week asking residents to call the office to schedule inspections.
Remedial work is also planned to be done on tanks, risers and seals to prevent water leaking
into the tanks during rain events. Hawkinson said a letter will go out to affected residents.
Bliss Addition – MPCA Compliance Permitting
Hawkinson the compliance plan for the Bliss system is on track for September submission to the
MPCA. He is still waiting for the MPCA to get back to him on putting in a new test well and will
follow-up with them again.
Dual Owners on Pump Stations
The shared pump issue was resolved by getting a portable pump that can be run off a generator
or from the adjoining house in the event the electricity is turned off on the shared neighbor’s
property.
New Owners attaching to 201 System
Hawkinson would like to get a recommendation to the Council regarding a policy for the
responsibility of new homeowners hooking up to the 201 System. If a new tank and pump
system is installed with oversight by Washington County, the City has no control over the
quality of the system. The City would continue the maintenance of sludge judging and pumping
the tank. However, if a substandard pump or control panel is installed and fails, it should be the
homeowner’s responsibility to replace it. Kelley asked if the city could audit the contractors ’
materials, like the pump, to meet the qualifications of the system. No method to d o that is in
place. Committee members thinks that the City should provide specifications to the
homeowner and permitting authority. Firkus mentioned that the city is notified of issued
permits and receives an emailed link to permit information, but doesn’t know if the pump specs
are included. Hawkinson mentioned that he has come across pumps that don’t have a manual
run switch which they need to test the AMP draw on the pumps.
July 24, 2019
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Repairs
Hawkinson said the lift station readings on the values for the sand filter were operating
opposite of the readings, one wasn’t working, and there was a broken flange. He is going back
to installer to get this corrected since the new control panels were installed in 2015.
Spring Flooding
There was a flooding event in March that overwhelmed the system that used up a lot of the
pumping money in the budget. The functioning of the laterals needs to be investigated as to
why the effluent wasn’t accepted during that event. Hawkinson received a $1,700 quote from
Smileys to take a look with cameras and blow them out. If further repairs eats up more of the
budget, Hawkinson is suggested the scheduled pumping be put off until next year, although
sludge judging will still occur to determine which tanks need pumping. Ness asked what
happened with charging the person who blocked the overflow to the lake that precipitated the
flooding in a whole neighborhood. Hawkinson said all the details with pictures were given to
the City Attorney. Ness asked for a follow-up. FEMA may also reimburse the City for some of
those pumping expenses.
2020 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET
Bliss System - Hawkinson presented four scenarios of yearly rates increases (5%, 10%, 15% and
20%) with the objection of having enough money to make bond payments if the nitrate
problem is funded through a bond over 20 years. Cartier suggested bonding for the 5-years
projected capital expenditures. Ness suggested going with a 5% increase as it is an annual
increase, and potentially having a user meeting to explain why the increases are necessary to
maintain an ageing system. The Ness, seconded by Cartier, recommended a 5% increase for
2020 for the Bliss Sewer System. The motion passed 5 – 0.
Uptown System – Hawkinson suggested at a future meeting the Committee discuss adding a
fee to the Uptown bills to start building up a reserve for future system replacements. The 2020
Budget presented to the Council recommended a 5% increase in 2020. Since the fee is based
into two parts, base and volume, the Committee recommended a 2.5% increase on each part.
That would result in an annual increase of $8.32 on the base and $4.76/1,000 on the volume
rate. Ness, seconded by Cartier, recommended at 2.5% increase on both the base rate and
the volume rate. The motion passed 5 – 0.
The Committee recommended a letter be sent to users with the next bill explaining the
expected increase in rates for 2020.
Future Meeting Dates: Possible next meeting in October.
A motion to adjourn was made by Hawkinson and seconded by Cartier. Vote: 5-0. Motion
Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Colleen Firkus
Treasurer